The College of Saint Benedict Blazer softball team (18-10 overall, 10-6 MIAC) split a pair of games against conference opponent Augsburg College Friday afternoon in Minneapolis, Minn.

Saint Benedict dropped game one of the series to the Eagles 4-2. Augsburg outhit the Blazers 7-6 in the loss. The game remained run less until the top of the fifth when first-year Emma Zierden (Avon, MN, Albany) scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by first-year Lonnica Johnson (Stillwater, MN, Hill-Murray). The Eagles answered back in the bottom of the fifth with four runs to take a three run lead. Saint Benedict's final run came in the bottom of the 7th on a home run to left center field by Lonni Johnson.

Sophomore pitcher Rachel Nelson (Lindstrom, MN, Chisago Lakes) went all seven innings in the loss for the Blazers. Nelson struck out four batters in six innings. Lonni Johnson went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Blazers, picking up two RBI's, a run scored, and a home run. Zierden was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

The Blazers picked up their tenth conference win in a 10-1 five inning game to earn the split. Saint Benedict started the game with a three run home run to left field by sophomore Maddie Lenker (Eden Prairie, MN, Eden Prairie). The Eagles lone run came in the bottom of the first on a single up the first base line. Saint Benedict scored seven runs in the next four innings to end the game early due to the NCAA 8 run rule. CSB picked up runs from sophomores Lexi Alm (Stacy, MN, Forest Lake) and Kelsey McQuillan (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater) in the second inning off a home run to left center field by Alm. The Blazers took a 7-1 lead in the top of the third with a two run home run by sophomore Sarah Walch (Red Wing, MN, Red Wing), before picking up two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings off of fielding errors by Augsburg. Saint Benedict's final run of the game came from a double to right center field by McQuillan that allowed Lonni Johnson to score and end the game early.

Earning the win on the mound for the Blazers was sophomore pitcher Trisha Johnson (New Ulm, MN, New Ulm). Johnson picked up her seventh win of the season going all five innings for Saint Benedict. She struck out three batters and allowed only three hits and one earned run. Alm went 3-for4 at the plate with three runs scored, two RBI's and a home run. McQuillan also had a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Lenker was 2-for-3 with three RBI's and a run scored. Walch went 2-for-2 with two RBI's and two runs scored.

Saint Benedict returns to action at 1 pm on Saturday, April 21st, when they host conference opponent Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Joseph, Minn.